Cheryl with her orthopedic spine surgeons Dr . Peter Derman ( left ) and Rajesh Arakal ( right ).
An Insider ’ s PERSPECTIVE
After Neck and Back Surgery , Texas Back Institute Makes One of Their Own Whole Again
Cheryl Zapata knew something was seriously wrong the weekend of her son ’ s wedding when her right hand , arm , and thigh simultaneously went numb .
Although she ’ d been dealing with neck and back issues for years , along with suffering from debilitating headaches , she had previously shrugged it off and never considered those issues were related . But , as she was getting ready to celebrate her son ’ s momentous day on May 21 , 2022 , she recognized this time her symptoms required professional attention .
“ When we were getting ready for the wedding at our ranch , my husband and I were doing a lot of physical labor and I must have pulled something or done something that led to losing functionality ,” explains Cheryl .
As she headed to work the Monday following her son ’ s nuptials , Cheryl didn ’ t have far to go to see a specialist about the increasing numbness overtaking her limbs . As the Chief Development Officer for Texas Back Institute for the past 14 years and a vendor for the practice for 17 years prior , she immediately consulted with Dr . Rajesh Arakal , an orthopedic spine surgeon at TBI , to assess the situation .
After explaining to Dr . Arakal what was going on , he performed a myriad of tests , and immediately sent her for an MRI . After reviewing the results , Dr . Arakal recommended surgery . “ I was hoping to have surgery later in the summer , but Dr . Arakal explained that once you start to have neurologic symptoms ( numbness , tingling , weakness ) you need to have surgery sooner than later ,” explained Cheryl .
“ I ’ ve had some neck pain and back pain that was manageable for years , although my right arm and hand had been getting weaker and weaker over time ,” says Cheryl , who was also becoming increasingly prone to dropping things . She was getting Botox injections every eight weeks for migraine headaches , had balance issues and was known to fall . Hearing these details further cemented Dr . Arakal ’ s diagnosis for immediate neck surgery . In looking at the options available , Disc Replacement , which is a motion preservation surgery , was considered . However , it was determined she was not a candidate due to her physiology . Dr . Arakal then recommended a neck fusion surgery .
Cheryl had no qualms as she was wheeled in for her neck fusion surgery on June 9 . “ I ’ ve always had a lot of confidence in the TBI doctors , and I have known there is a great benefit to coming to Texas Back Institute for many reasons . These doctors stay on at the forefront of spine treatment through education and research by attending weekly Neuroscience meetings . There is a peer review process in place and they present their interesting cases to one another bi-weekly to learn from one another . TBI also has a research facility at the Plano location which enrolls patients in FDA studies . It is a diverse group consisting of pain management , neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons . But , most importantly , the doctors here treat everything from degenerative spine
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